Do you ever wonder where your food actually comes from? Despite how it may appear, Albertsons and Kroger employees aren’t picking herbs out of the garden out back with cute little sunhats on. No no, that produce travels far and wide to get to those crates and bins we frantically grab our fruit out of.

(Photo: Flowers) credit: Lauren Kimmel

The good news is there are places where we actually see where our produce comes from. You can shake hands with the farmers who grew it. You can sample the mangos and the tomatoes until you find the one that your taste buds desire. The Dallas Farmers Market offers a food experience that you just can’t get at the grocery store. You can peruse the aisles of local vendors at your own pace, sampling and learning about the produce in front of you. You don’t have to worry about getting sprayed by those grocery store misters or finding bananas that were picked 5 days too soon.

I have had some of the best cantaloupe in my life from one of the stands at the Farmers Market. I wouldn’t have gotten through the third trimester of my pregnancy if it weren’t for their delectable, giant seedless watermelons and perfectly ripe mangoes. My baby tried honeydew melon for the first time on one of our visits. Whenever we are in the mood for some really good steaks, we head over to their meat market and pick up some top of the line beef. The Dallas Farmers Market is close to my heart and my cravings!

When planning your trip to the Dallas Farmers Market I have two words for you: come hungry. Between the samples you will over-indulge on, the fresh tamales you will have to grab for lunch, and the snowcones you can’t pass up on your way out, you will definitely leave with a full (and happy) belly. There are just too many options and varieties of foods to not try a little of everything. And the prices? Great! Although they aren’t much cheaper than the big chain grocers, you are getting higher quality products and supporting our local farmers and businesses.

Food is not the only thing you will find at the Dallas Farmers Market. There is a fantastic Garden Center right across the street that could take any yard from drab to fab. You will also find plenty or local crafters and artists selling their loot inside one of the pavilions. This is a great place to pick up gifts for loved ones. How much more special is it to buy something handcrafted than picking up the latest DVD?

The next time you are picking up ingredients for a big cook-out, or just stocking up for meal planning, head to The Dallas Farmers Market for a great experience and to support our local farmers. You might just leave with some awesome produce and a greater appreciation for food. And don’t forget to try the watermelon!

Lauren Kimmel is the Co-Founder of Dallas Moms Blog, a great resource for moms looking to connect to other moms, learn and laugh about motherhood, and discover all that Dallas has to offer. She is a wife to a musician and a mother to a bouncing baby boy.